Paul Givan: “Education is the foundation of everything we aspire to be”

Education Minister Paul Givan pictured with conference speakers, including: (l to r) Tim Oates, Nina Hood, Hardip Begol, Bradley Busch, Paul Givan, Lucy Crehan, Daisy Christodoulou, Keir Bloomer and Harold Hislop.

Education Minister Paul Givan today led a landmark gathering of over 600 school leaders at the TransformED School Leaders’ Conference in Belfast, signalling a renewed commitment to reforming and strengthening Northern Ireland’s education system.

The conference, a key milestone in the TransformED NI Strategy, provided a platform to delve into core themes such as curriculum, assessment, accountability, school improvement and professional learning.

It comes just weeks after the official launch of the TransformED Delivery Plan, which outlines how the Department of Education will put the strategy’s ambitions into practice.

“On the 11th of March, I launched the TransformED strategy, and just last week, a Delivery Plan that will turn that ambition into action,” Mr Givan told attendees. “Today’s conference provides an opportunity to engage with school leaders and to talk about what TransformED means for our schools and for the future of our children.”

Underscoring his vision for transformation, the Minister said: “Education is the foundation of everything we aspire to be as a society. It shapes our economy, our communities and our shared future. When we get education right, we unlock opportunities for every child, we close the gaps of disadvantage and we build a prosperous, inclusive, and united future.”

Mr Givan emphasised that TransformED goes beyond policy:

“That is why TransformED isn’t just a strategy—it’s a promise. A promise to every child that they will have access to a world-class education. A promise to every teacher and school leader that you will be supported, valued and empowered. A promise to every parent that their child’s capabilities will be nurtured, no matter their circumstances.”

Acknowledging the pressures on the current system, the Minister called for investment and reform to ensure sustainability and excellence.

“Our education system has been under considerable stress for a sustained period and I recognise the challenges that our teachers and school leaders face daily. My goal is to reform and revitalise our education system, to invest meaningfully in our educators and to ensure that those who shape the future are themselves valued and sustained.”

He added: “We must therefore be ambitious for every child and bold for our plans for reform and ensure our education system is world leading – excellent, equitable, inclusive and able to meet the needs of all children and young people in an ever-changing world.”

International Expertise Driving Change

A highlight of the conference was the inclusion of an international panel of leading education experts, each offering insights to guide Northern Ireland’s path forward:

Lucy Crehan presented key themes and initial findings from the ongoing Strategic Review of the Northern Ireland Curriculum, commissioned in October 2024.

Daisy Christodoulou spoke on the importance of high standards and the centrality of knowledge, examining the synergy between knowledge and skills and how effective assessment drives school improvement.

Tim Oates addressed the power of effective accountability and its role in sustaining educational quality.

Bradley Busch highlighted the necessity of becoming an evidence-informed education system, underpinned by robust research and data.

Hardip Begol shared reflections from England’s 2014 curriculum reform, offering valuable lessons for Northern Ireland’s reform journey.

Dr Nina Hood discussed integrating evidence into education policy and practice, drawing from her experience in New Zealand’s literacy reform efforts.

Harold Hislop underscored the critical role of ongoing professional development for teachers, noting that “teachers are the key deliverers of any improvement or change in the education system.”

A Vision for Future Generations

The TransformED strategy and its associated delivery plan mark a significant turning point for Northern Ireland’s educational future.

Minister Givan’s emphasis on inclusion, high standards and evidence-based policy reflects a determination to address existing challenges and build a resilient, high-performing system that serves all children and young people.

As schools prepare for the next phase of implementation, the TransformED conference stands as both a rallying call and a roadmap—uniting policymakers, educators and experts around a common purpose: delivering world-class education for every learner in Northern Ireland.